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Life begins at 40

This is it. I am a walking, living, breathing cliché, who is about to ‘start’ life again at 40.

Let’s just say that about seven years ago life took an unexpected – and rather annoying – turn when I became ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

As I come out of the other side, I am ready, ready to, well, just ready.

I have this incredible opportunity to start again – which is exciting – but start again at what? Yes, you’ve got it, here I am on my own personal reinvention tour.

I’m thinking just a few tweaks around the edges and I will be all new and sparkly and improved. Oh, it sounds so simple now I am saying it out loud. I think I will go crazy and share some goals with you. That’s what you’re supposed to do isn’t it?

There are ‘only’ four areas I need to focus on: career, body, health and home. Oh. As I say that, it does pretty much sound like my entire life needs tweaking. (Although, Husband will be relieved he isn’t on the list. Yes, I LOVE my husband. Thank God, I’m not ready to be Bridget Jones.)

Okay, so here you have it, in no particular order: Firstly, I want to be superfit. This is a symbol of being well again; I want to embrace the wonderful feeling of being strong, fit and healthy. And my ultimate fitness dream is to ditch my muffin-top and get a six-pack. (I have never had a flat stomach in my entire life, so it’s not at all unrealistic to achieve this at 40.)

I also want to go from small time blogger to successful writer. Prior to my ‘career break’ I worked in the commercial world, so I have all the right skills. Oh. But I have had a whole 12 months blogging experience, so I should easily have a column in Grazia by – well, soon.

Thirdly, I still have some work to do on my health. Without wishing to be the Queen of Cheese, once you have had health challenges, taking care of yourself becomes a big part of your life. Anyway, this one’s easy. (Haha… that’s why it’s taken me seven years to get to this point.) So expect some interesting tales of dalliances with the fascinating world of alternative health. Don’t worry though, any carrot munching, meditating, or crystal tendencies I have are balanced out with a passion for wine, Green and Black’s, and shoes.

And, finally, I am going to turn our apartment into a palace. This project is already underway. Actually, I think I am an interior design goddess – just call me Laurence.

So, this doesn’t all sound too much – does it? I’m going to do that annoying personal development thing where you break everything down into smaller goals: ‘Today, my goal is to choose one wallpaper sample…’ Yawn. Oh yes, probably should have mentioned I am very impatient, so would like this reinvention wrapped up soon as.

So, this is it, people, starting over at 40. Wish me luck!

Please come and join me as I, well, make my life all sparkly and amazing – I’m thinking this is the kind of project that needs help. And if you have any six-pack secrets you want to share, or you are the editor of a national magazine, don’t be shy.

Thank you if you have come over from Sofa and the City, it’s lovely to have you here. And if we haven’t met before – hello.

18 thoughts on “Life begins at 40”

We’re on the same team – I too have ME / CFS… and I too, as I think most do, have been through some reinvention – so much has changed, and amazingly, although I didn’t plan it that way, wouldn’t have wished it that way, for the better!

So best of luck to you.

I’m still on the road to recovery. But I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Hiya.
Good luck with the blog, it already looks great. I also have ME and am trying to find my way through. My blog’s a bit haphazard at the moment as I’m new to all of this but hopefully I’ll find the right direction soon. All the best. x

At first I was quite sad to see the end of ‘Sofa and the City’, but after just reading this first instalment of ‘The Reinvention Tour’…I think it’s a genius idea! It clearly shows how far you have come along with your health since you set about your first blogging adventure!! Where you once embraced the sofa, and your ability to be able to use your laptop for a few hours, you have clearly grown past that and are striving for much bigger and better things! I have seen similar (actually, almost identical) changes in my own health in this time, and it has been great to share the journey with you!

But enough of looking back, and on with looking forward – this journey promises to be the most exciting yet!! I know you can achieve all 4 of your goals, why couldn’t you?! It’s all about belief, which you know already!

As always Karen, you’re a real inspiration! Talk to you soon, I’m sure we’ll bump into each other somewhere on the interweb 😉

Congratulations on your snazzy new blog! It’s great to hear that you are feeling a lot better and have turned the me/cfs corner so to speak. It makes me feel more hopeful about my slow me/cfs slog towards the light at end of the tunnel. If you can do it so can I…

hello karen
i’m still a long way from 40 but i subscribe to the school of thought which believes dreams can be achieved and accomplished at any age and time.
congratulations on your new blog, the whole rebranding and focus.
i trust in your ability to turn your dreams to reality because you are good at doing it.(your blog and determination for recovery are prime examples)
don’t forget i am at your service anytime.
take care and enjoy the rest of the day.

Hi Karen,
I recently discovered “Sofa and the City” & have loved reading your posts. I also live with ME/CFS & it is encouraging to read about someone who is improving. Wishing you all the best on your Reinvention Tour (I love the name by the way!)